…from Otter Creek Brewing Company.
No matter where I am in the country, every time I see a Vermont license plate, my stomach does a happy flip. I love my home state. I spotted this VT plate and sticker a couple days ago in Chicago and had to smile:
There sure is a lot of delicious beer in the Green Mountain State. Here’s to local brews for the summertime!
ILOVERMONT.
Exquisite:
I snapped this one while wandering the city this weekend. I could have an entire blog dedicated to funny signs I see.
I was in produce heaven at Stanley’s this weekend. This place is the mecca for cheap, fresh fruits and veggies in Chicago:
There was a guy making fresh sweet potato chips, they’ve got a dairy section, nuts, a meat deli counter and more. Fantastic. Last night for dinner? I sliced some crispy cukes, made yummy bruschetta with the heirloom tomatoes I picked up, and whipped up some corn succotash too.
I love summer and all the fresh foods that come along with it.
How could this picture not make you smile?
Because it’s a gorgeous day out, I decided to walk my errands today. Trader Joe’s was my last stop to stock up on a few snacks and some beer for after my double-header soccer game tonight. As I headed home I walked by an auto shop with a few guys standing outside taking what looked like a much deserved break. I smiled and said hi as I approached them. One of the guys saw my 6-pack of Blue Moon and jokingly reached for one of them. We both laughed as I walked by. As I turned the corner I thought, I have got to go back and give this guy a beer. He looked like a jolly and hard-working guy, why not?
I walked back and said “Here you go, enjoy!” He looked shocked, smiled huge, and was very appreciative. We laughed, I introduced myself and asked if I could take a photo of him of course. After a minute of chatter, he was being summoned to go back to work so we said our goodbye’s.
It’s amazing how a 2 minute interaction with someone you’d never otherwise meet can change your day, give you some perspective, or put a smile on your face. I always get back way more than I give when meeting people like Isas along my road. I live for this stuff. This, is what Blue Lollipop Road is all about.
Cheers Isas. Thanks for putting a smile on my face.
Apparently they have been looking for help for a very long time. I’m thinking since they opened in 1957:
This place is the epitome of a dive; dark walls and low ceilings, floor is covered in peanut shells, always packed, and it’s fantastically fun. If you are in Chicago, this is a must check out spot for a late night drink. Challenge if you go: See if it’s possible to actually fit 2 people in the 2 person stall bathroom.
The Lodge. I love it.
Yesterdays brunch was at Nookies Too in Lincoln Park. I confess, this was my 3rd visit. Last time I was at Nookies it was my 31st birthday and that’s where I chose to have breakfast complete with a friend and mimosas. All three times I have been I’ve gotten the same thing; Crunchy French Toast:
My sister and I have even stolen the concept and made this at home, except I use Frosted Flakes instead of regular corn flakes. You can use Captain Crunch too- just crush it up and roll the egg soaked bread…voila! A sweet treat for a funky brunch.
I feasted yesterday and couldn’t resist taking lots of photos to capture in full the golden brown, crunchy, sweet, perfection:
What did I do after I finished on this sunny Sunday after my food coma set in? I walked it off course! About 10 miles to be exact; All through Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Roscoe Village and more. Nothing like a feast and earning it.
Stay tuned for next weeks brunch post #3…
Dear Mom,
Thank you for raising me in a beautiful, safe place where I could run and play:
Thank you for encouraging me to travel and explore:
Thank you for giving me 3 of the best siblings, who have turned into my best friends:
…so one of those siblings could give me a great nephew:
Thank you for telling me to go for it, and always follow my dreams:
Thank you for sharing doughnuts with me on our special breakfast dates:
Thank you for being my friend, and the one person who I know will love me with all of her heart forever:
You are the definition of what a mother should be. You are the reason I will always believe anything is possible. I am so, so, very lucky to be your daughter. I love you Mom. Happy Mother’s Day.
I’ve been thinking about my Mom all week this week. I think of her everyday, but as I put my card in the mail on this Mother’s Day week I realized this is the first one since all 4 of us Peacock kids were born, that just 1 of us would be home to spend time with her this year on the day devoted to Mom’s. In an effort to make up for my absence to spoil her, I’ve decided to devote a long weekend of posts and photos to help illustrate what she means to me.
First I will start by thanking my Grandparents, after all- they did make her. Thankfully I have never had to question for one second in my life whether I am loved or not, but if I ever did it would take just walking into the room with my Grandma and Grandpa to know I am:
Obviously they taught my Mother the power to love wholly and unconditionally. There is an art form to this. Let’s just just say Picasso and van Gogh have nothing on my Mom. When the world has felt like it’s collapsing around each of us kids at times, the one thing that has always remained in concrete is that this one woman is always there; our biggest and most loyal, unwavering fan. Her super human strength continues to support us through anything we could possibly dream up.
Thank you for making my Mom Grandma and Grandpa; By making your daughter, you have made me the luckiest daughter in the world. I love you.
As I freeze my tail off here in the Chicago spring still wearing winter coats and scarves everyday, I fantasize about sitting on the beach all day until sunset, with an icy cold corona in my hand. Naturally I had to go back into my photo archives to find something to fit my mood on this day observed in the U.S to celebrate Mexican culture and heritage. I took these in the Outer Banks, North Carolina last July, arriving just as the sun was going down:
…and sitting through a magnificent sunset:
Cheers to celebrating Cinco de Mayo and being lucky enough to sit on the beach during a sunset like this!
